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“In what world would ya eat pizza with a fork and a knife?!”
”This world, where I would prefer not to dirty my hands.”
”You’re crazy, man!”
Jabber and Zanka were having their daily debate. One that neither of them won, nor lost. It always ended in a tie with huffs from the two and mutual anger. Rudo and Riyo looked at both of them, used to this by now. More Riyo since she’s been attending college a year longer than Rudo. But despite Zanka’s frustrated silence, the two could see the blush that grew on his cheeks while he focused on his work. They didn’t really know Jabber like that. The two were more acquaintances with him than anything. Zanka was the one who was his friend, typically always annoyed by him but deep down, he liked Jabber’s presence, not that he would admit it due to his pride, but Riyo and Rudo both knew he was whipped for the guy.
”I’m just sayin,” Jabber started, leaning back in his chair, playing with the pencil between his fingers, sitting next to Zanka in front of Riyo and Rudo. “It’s a food you’re supposed to eat with hands! Don’t be insulting the Italians!”
Zanka sighed, bringing his hands to rub the bridge of his nose in annoyance, holding back the urge to punch Jabber because he knew Jabber would probably enjoy that. “Just shut up. I literally do not like getting grease and oil on my hands. Simple as that,” He responded through gritted teeth, trying to focus on the assignment that was already posted on everyone’s computer by the professor. This was one of the few classes the four all shared together. But none of them liked this class because, honestly, who actually likes history?
”Honestly, man, Jabbers got a point,” Rudo told Zanka, earning a glare from him. “I’m not taking anything from someone who eats anything and everything with his hands,” Zanka retorted. “Jeez dude…” Rudo muttered. Riyo snorted.
”C’mon! Just try it once, Zan-Zan!” Jabber begged. “It’s so much easier to let loose! Little guy agrees!” He adds, pointing to Rudo.
”Yeah, Zanka. You’re always uptight. I agree with Jabber on this one,” Riyo comments, smiling at Zanka’s angry face. “What is it with you three and getting me to eat Pizza with my hands. It’s better to avoid messes and eat with a fork.” The three sigh, knowing they’ll never get the stubborn guy to eat Pizza with his hands like a normal person. “Now lock in and do your work,” Zanka adds.
It was usually quiet when the four did their work. Well, three. Jabber was never really quiet. He was the loudest of the four. He was also the laziest, yet somehow, the one with the best grades. It irked Zanka a lot that they were so different. He actually tried and did his best and performed to his full potential. But Jabber often sat back, annoying someone, often Zanka, but still managed to outperform him.
He decided not to let Jabber get the best of him and focused on his work while Jabber pulled out a random muffin from his bag, eating it. “Want some, Zan-Zan?” He asked with his mouth full of the pastry. “Don’t call me Zan-Zan. And no.”
Riyo and Rudo looked at each other, sighing. Zanka really wasn’t good at showing his true feelings. Not that he wanted the muffin, but his feelings for Jabber. It was annoying at this point. Annoyingly funny sometimes. “Ya think Zanka’s gonna ask him to be his valentine?” Riyo whispered to Rudo, already knowing the answer. “Nah,” the other replied quietly. “We should totally set them up.”
Rudo looked shocked at the suggestion. “But we barely know Jabber. He usually just focuses on Zanka, or he’d hang out with his other friends.”
Riyo blinked. “That guy has friends other than Zanka?”
”Yeah, this tall blonde lady and this shorter guy with white hair. I think he has red highlights too.”
”I thought Zanka was the only one able to tolerate that kinda personality,” Riyo snickered, Rudo unable to hold back a quiet laugh as well.
The lecture came to an end as the professor started to wrap up the lesson. Zanka was packing up his things, Riyo and Rudo doing the same. Jabber was being his usual self, trying to snoop through Zanka’s bag. “How’d ya keep things so damn neat?” Jabber groans, invading Zanka’s personal space. “It’s not that hard,” he responded, giving a nasty side eye to the other. “Well I value being fast than neat,” Jabber tells Zanka with a wink, earning a groan.
”I have to get going,” Zanka tells to the other two, standing and turning to them. “Really? You usually leave with us,” Rudo blinks in confusion. “Follo wants to meet me.”
Riyo stared at Zanka awkwardly. “Follo? Isn’t that… random?”
Zanka shrugs. “I dunno. He sent me a message earlier. Might as well show up.”
Jabber listens in obviously. He didn’t know what to make of the situation. He stood quiet for a few seconds. “I gotta get outta here too,” He says with a huff, a pout slightly forming on his lips. “Whats up with you now?” Asked Riyo. “Nothin, get outta my business, yo!” Jabber shouted, not being able to control his feelings and emotions very well, aggressively packing his stuff and stomping out the door, pushing by several other confused classmates. “Ya think he has to shit?” Zanka asked the two with a smirk. Rudo was the only one to laugh at it. Riyo thought it was suspicious.
Zanka separated ways from the two not long after. Putting his earbuds on, he thought about Jabber. He always did, especially when listening to the music Jabber recommended to him, even if he told the guy he would never listen to music like that. He often visualized he and Jabber together with the music playing in the background. It wasn’t romance songs, way too odd to be. But because it came to his knowledge by Jabber, Zanka would listen to them on repeat. He didn’t even notice his cheeks warming up and turning red. Zanka was totally whipped.
He looked at the valentine decorations that were being put up. Valentines was just four days from now, the holiday falling on Saturday. He didn’t expect himself to have a Valentines. He couldn’t gather the courage to ask Jabber. Even if he did, he’d probably get rejected and humiliatingly teased by him. Or so he thought.
Around the corner was where Follo said he’d be. It was a garden that was often cared for by other students. Zanka came here frequently to study. He liked the scenery and the peace that came with it. The smell of flowers always put him at ease, shifting his mind from brutal studying to the beauty around him.
Follo sat at one of the benches, his leg bouncing nervously. He held a paper bag between his legs as his eyes darted around, soon landing on Zanka who was now just arriving. “Hey,” Zanka waved, nearing the other boy. “Oh- Zanka! You came!” Follo shouted excitedly, standing up quickly from the bench. “Yeah, wasn’t gonna leave ya hanging,” he responded with a soft chuckle. “What did you need to talk about?”
Follo gulped loudly, his face flushing red as he slightly towered over Zanka. He wasn’t much taller, but it was enough to see a small difference. “You’ve heard about the valentines festival on Saturday, right?” Follo questioned, his voice slightly stammering. Zanka nodded.
“Are you going with anyone?”
Zanka blinked. He wasn’t planning on going. He thought of it was a waste of time without a partner. “Uh, no,” he responded which seemed to give a little sparkle in Follo’s eyes. “Perfect! I was wondering if you- Like- I dunno- Maybe just- You know-“ He stuttered. Badly. He face palmed in embarrassment. But he blushed harder when he heard the laughter from Zanka. “Take your time, man.”
Follo took in a deep breath. “Would you like to be my Valentine and… accompany to the festival?” He asked in a low tone of voice. Zanka was shocked for a second. He didn’t actually expect to be asked that by anyone really, let alone one of his acquaintances. But because Follo was one of his friends, he didn’t think of it as an actual romantic confession as Follo intended it to be.
”Sure, why not.”
Follo’s eyes widened. So did his smile. He dug into the paper bag right after and grabbed a decent size, heart shaped chocolate box. “For you,” He insists, pushing the box to Zanka.
Zanka takes the box, smiling at the free chocolate he just received. Eating chocolates was his guilty pleasure as someone who was on top of his diet and refrained from eating sugary treats.
”I’ll meet you at the festival on Saturday, then. It starts in the afternoon, correct?” Zanka questioned, taking his bag off to neatly place the chocolate box inside. “Yea, at six.”
Zanka stood up straight again. “Cool. I’ll see you tomorrow,” He said, turning around and walking off with a final wave to Follo.
Follo felt accomplished, punching the air in excitement as his cheeks were just as red as the roses beside him.
Jabber was there the whole time, however. He didn’t follow Zanka. He just so happened to feel the need to walk to the garden. At least, that was his excuse. He sat on a bench behind one of the taller bushes, pretending to do his work. But he was eavesdropping instead. Anger flared inside of him, his teeth gritting. He wasn’t exactly going to ask Zanka to be his valentine. For some reason, he had just assumed maybe they would just go together without any words exchanged. But that was totally wrong.
He packed up his computer and walked about. He didn’t know where, but he needed to be in his feelings now. He moped around campus, glaring at all the valentine’s day decorations. He wanted to be Zanka’s valentines. He had hoped to confess finally. But now, Zanka accepted Follo’s confession.
Jabber groaned while aggressively rubbing his head in annoyance, his locs swaying to the movement. “Damnit!” He shouted to himself.
He crouched down once he reached the quad, continuing his moping while he watched a trail of ants trying to carry a potato chip to its hill. His locs fell from his shoulder, swaying before his face. “Man, did I really lose my chance?” He whispers to himself in a void of sadness.
”You good?” A feminine voice from behind asks. It was Riyo. Jabber looked back, his face an obvious expression of self pity. Rudo trailed after Riyo, looking confused. “Zan-Zan got confessed to!” Jabber groans.
“Huh?!” The two shouted. “By who?!” Rudo butted in. Before Jabber could answer, it clicked for Riyo. “Follo.” She muttered, Jabber nodding vigorously.
“Damnit!” He shouted again, falling back onto the grass. “I waited too damn long!”
Riyo and Rudo blinked before looking at each other. “Why are you so angry about it?” Rudo asked innocently. Jabber stood quiet, his eyes rolling back to look at Rudo who stood by his head to the left of Riyo. Jabber was speechless, a blush creeping up on his face. “You like Zanka, don’t you?” Riyo already knew the answer. It was so painfully obvious. If you hung around the two long enough, you could see the mutual feelings between them. But somehow, Jabber and Zanka couldn’t see the romantic tension between them. In their defense, not even Rudo. It was Riyo who had to explain it to Rudo because Zanka was too prideful to ever admit it.
“And so what if I do, huh?” Jabber shouts, getting up from the grass quickly like a scared cat. Riyo turned herself and Rudo over, whispering in his ear like they were in a movie.
”We can’t tell him exactly that Zanka likes him,” Rudo worried.
“I know, it’d hurt his pride if he doesn’t come truthfully himself. We also can’t tell Zanka that Jabber likes him either.”
”Huh?! Why?”
Riyo groaned. “They have to confess to each other on their accords. They’re not kids anymore. we shouldn’t have to be their messengers!”
Rudo nodded in understanding.
The two thought hardly as if Jabber wasn’t behind him. Ironically, he didn’t hear anything. He surprisingly waited patiently behind them, crossing his arms as he stared at their backs. His mind wandered back to the interaction between Zanka and Follo, his heart hurting. He already had planned on maybe being mature enough to talk about his feelings. At first he never understood them. With the help of one of his friends, he slowly came to terms with the fact that he was bisexual and his second love was Zanka, his first being the rings he wore daily. But he was never shown how to love, so he had no idea how to act around him. But he lost his chance.
He was shaken out of his trance when Riyo turned back. “Rudo and I come up with a plan on how we steal Zanka back.” She winked, throwing a thumbs up. It was really stupid of her to do. She and Rudo both knew that. But this is the only way they can get Jabber and Zanka to finally stop being pussies and confess to each other. Plus they wanted some fun around campus.
“Whatcha mean by that?” He asks, shoving his hands in the pockets of his drooping jeans, just enough to show the waistband of his boxers. “We make you more desirable” Rudo explains, feeling proud of the vaguely explained plan.
”How we gonna do that?” Jabber asked, his awkwardly forced pout returning back to his usual annoying smile. “We can create a step-by-step plan. Make sure Zanka goes back to- I mean starts finding interest in you,” Riyo answers, her stutter almost throwing Zanka under the bus.
She wasn’t going to tell Zanka about the plan either. Not when she thought Zanka lost feelings for Jabber. Or that she and Rudo were planning a whole operation. But it didn’t make sense to her? How could he in such short time. Literally. It was only about half hour since he left. She could’ve sworn Zanka was just as flustered around Jabber as usual. Or maybe she was so used to it that she was just imagining it at this point. But she already swore to help Jabber. She owed him one. Especially after shooting him.
It was with a tennis ball machine. The one that shoots the balls and a crazy speed. She was trying to work it just for fun so Guita could practice her skills. Unfortunately, Jabber was in the vicinity and got a head full of tennis balls.
”Ya guys have a plan set already?” Jabber asked, looking down as he kicked a rock. “Not yet,” Rudo answered. Riyo butted in. “It shouldn’t be that hard, though. I mean, c’mon. How hard could it be to make Zanka fall in love with you again?”
It was in fact very hard.
The three stood over in Jabber’s dorm. He shared it with Fu, but he currently was in class so the three had the room all to themselves. Riyo took the bed, requiring comfort for thinking. Jabber and Rudo were kicked out onto the floor. Rudo had one of those spiral notebooks that were too smal to actually take notes for class but the right size to write simple things. Like plans. They had just analyzed Zanka’s personality: Very hard to get him to fall back in love with someone.
It was quiet. No one was able to think of any solid plans. There were crumbled papers off to the side with shut down plans that were to never work. The three were stressing for what seemed like years all bottled in just a few short minutes.
“Phase one!” Riyo shouts while sitting up, the two boys flinching from the sudden movement. “Jabber, you’re the sneakiest, and obviously this is your problem! You spy on Zanka and Follo! They often hang out after the classes they have together. It’s not for a long time, but just enough for you to see how they interact!”
Jabber nods, content with this phase. “Rudo, give him that notebook. He’ll need to write this information down!”
“Ya saying I can’t keep valuable information stored in my head?” Jabber asks. “If the shoe fits,” Riyo responded.
Before Jabber could respond, Riyo came up with the next phase. “Zanka loves to study. That’s like his lifeline. So, Jabber, you ‘coincidentally’ meet up with Zanka and you study together! That gives you time alone.”
Jabber imagines himself studying with Zanka. He’s never been one to actually study as he’s just a natural at everything and can easily pass with his intelligence. But the thought of being near Zanka, being yelled and cursed at by him because he’s acting dumb, turns him on.
”Ew, dude. What’s up with that face?” Rudo questions, shifting away from Jabber. “Focus!” Riyo snaps at the two. “Phase three: Jabber confesses to Zanka if we see any progress.”
”Yo, we need code names!” Jabber shouts, ignoring the fact that he’d need to confess.“Whats a mission without being secretive?!”
Riyo and Rudo sigh. “And what do you suppose these names are?”
”Little guy over here loves all kinds of tools, right?” He points Rudo. “So he can be, Agent Tools!”
Rudo seemed alright with that. “And you like scissors, right? So Agent Scissors for you!”
”I can see why Zanka’s always yelling at you,” Rudo mumbled.
”I can be Agent Toxin! Zan-Zan: Target Verdict! Cause he’s strict and in the law major,” He explained.
“And Follo? He get a name?” Riyo looked at Jabber with a smirk. Jabber rolled his eyes.
”He can be the Enemy Cupid,” Rudo insists.
”Alright, it’s settled, then. The operation and the code names,” Riyo states while Jabber huffs to the mention of Follo.
”How are we so sure Zanka won’t kill us?” Rudo asked, shivers running down his spine. He sometimes feared the guy with how scary Zanka could be. “We just hope,” Riyo answered, not at all scared of Zanka.
”Yo, this is gonna be fun!” Jabber gets back on track, hopping around his room. He already had it in his mind that things would work out. He craved for Zanka. Craved for his insults, his aggression, for him as a person.
The next day came by quickly. It was now Wednesday, meaning another schedule. Zanka had his first class already at ten in the morning for law. It was his major. He enjoyed the class, but it felt lonely without any of his friends. Especially Jabber. Zanka couldn’t help but think about him more as valentines was upcoming, a day for couples. Zanka sighed, hoping to one day be able to confess to him. But the thought of being rejected terrified him. Especially when that’s all he knew his whole life.
‘Maybe I should kidnap him,’ Zanka thought to himself. It wasn’t an actual thought, just more for his own humor. But man, was it tempting. He wanted Jabber all for himself. He hated seeing Jabber near other people. Jabber’s better grades filled Zanka with envy already, but seeing Jabber with other people was worse.
He ran into Follo while deep in thought, accidentally bumping into him. “Hey! You, okay Zanka?” Follo asked, smiling at the other. “Yeah, sorry. Zoned out for a minute,” he responded. “No worries. You wanna walk to class together?”
Zanka nodded.
They had the second class of the day together on Wednesdays. They shared an ESL class. English wasn’t their first language so they weren’t perfect at it. They still needed work, especially Zanka if he was majoring in law, which is why he worked himself to the bone.
”Sure,” He simply responded, kind of wishing it was Jabber he was walking with.
Jabber, however, was not far behind. He listened to Riyo’s plan and started following the two, listening into their conversation. In the notebook, he wrote ‘desperate’ for Follo.
He trailed after them until they reached their class. It was at that point that he couldn’t go past. There wasn’t much notes he wrote down in that five minute walk. Zanka didn’t confide much in Follo. It was just Follo who spoke to Zanka. That relieved Jabber. But it wasn’t much progress.
”What are you doing?” A woman asked from behind Jabber. He recognized that voice.
”Whatsup, Noerde?” He turns with a wide smile, excited to see one of his friends. If Noerde could, she would’ve raised an eyebrow at the guy. She was a year older than him but in a lower year of college. She took a few years off after high school after she struggled in determining what to do. When she figured she wanted to do cosmetology, that’s what she went for. She was in the same major and class as Riyo. The were academic rivals just how he and Zanka were.
”What are you up to? You’re standing in front of the door like a crazy man,” she says, her voice serious but gentle. “Tryna win back my man,” Jabber responds, smiling proudly. Noerde had no idea how to respond. She sighs. “I wish you luck, Jabber.” She walks off to the direction of her class.
Jabber walks away as well, stretching his arms out. “Damn, how long do I have to spy? This is boring!” He groans to himself, waiting for Zanka’s lecture to come to an end. He crouches by a nearby vending machine, going on his phone. He had to wait roughly an hour and a half. During this time, he came up with plans. He searched on his phone, shutting his eyes tightly and trying to imagine the scenarios in his head.
All of his plans came back to sweeping Zanka off his feet and running away with him.
Jabber sighs, standing up. He had a few dollars on him so he planned on buying a snack from the vending machine right beside him. The door behind him opened from Zanka’s class. Jabber didn’t bother to look back, focused on buying himself a snack.
”Jabber? Whatcha doing here?” Someone asks. The soft and deep voice immediately made Jabber turn around. “Zan-Zan!” He said excitedly, smiling until he remembered Zanka and Follo. He didn’t know how to act right now, unsure if he should act normal or be upset.
He chose the worst option: To avoid Zanka. Jabber didn’t have the will to leave right now so he answered Zanka’s question but with dryness in his tone. “Just gettin’ a snack, you?”
”Oh, just going to the bathroom.”
Jabber stood there awkwardly, walking off immediately after. It hurt Jabber to do so, hearing the silence afterwards, but he still didn’t know how to work out his feelings.
Zanka stood there, shocked, expecting Jabber to do something more.
“What do you mean you’re gonna avoid him?!” Riyo shouted at Jabber, back at the quad. Rudo was there, eating some macarons. “I can’t face him, bro! I just think of him and that other bastard,” Jabber responds.
”You’re gonna fuck up the plan!” Riyo whined. “Or what if Jabber coincidentally meets Zanka while he studies—you know, at the library like the second phase states—and Jabber just says that he’s feeling lonely for valentines so he’s sad?” Rudo offers.
”That shit sounds cheesy!” Jabber whines. “Don’t make me stomp on your lifeline!” He refers to Rudo’s macarons.
“Jeez, man! I’m just tryna help!”
”Wait, that plans perfect!” Riyo says after thinking about it. “Damnit!” Jabber shouts.
”C’mon! It’ll be easy! It’s the second phase of our operation anyway! Just with some added corny conversation!” Riyo explains. Jabber sighs. “Alright,” He gives up.
”Their class should be ending, go acquire more information,” Riyo states, pushing Jabber away. “Yo, you’re bossy!” He tells her, walking off.
”I didn’t know Jabber liked Zanka this much. Personally, I don’t see the appeal,” Rudo says to Riyo, stuffing his mouth with another macaron. “And tell me why we can’t just tell them they like each other?”
”Because they need to find out their feelings for each other from each other! They need to come to terms with it! We’re just… pathing the way for Jabber,” Riyo answers.
”Why couldn’t we do this for Zanka?”
Riyo groans. “Because we didn’t know that Jabber liked him at the time! And now Zanka has feelings for Follo! It makes no sense! That’s not real feelings, they barely know each other! Zanka’s just pushing his feelings for Jabber deep down inside and we need to make him realize that Jabber is the one he loves!” Riyo ranted.
”And when do you plan on confessing to Eisha?” Rudo asks. Riyo blushed and stood silent. “Shut up you rat!” She shouts, kicking Rudo’s back, making him fall onto the grass.
Jabber munched on the macaron he had stolen from Rudo without him noticing. He made his way to Zanka’s class that was just about to end.
He stood where Zanka wouldn’t be able to see him once he left the room. He was excited to him, but not so happy having to see Zanka now walking out with Follo. Jabber quickly grabbed the notebook from his pocket and walked as calm as he could a few feet behind them. It was the same as earlier. Zanka was never the one to talk unless he needed to. Follo was the one contributing to the conversation. It wasn’t at all like the interactions between he and Jabber where Zanka would often yell and argue with Jabber over trivial matters.
Zanka and Follo parted ways. Now was to phase two of their plan that would last the longest. Throughout the next few days, Jabber would have to ‘coincidentally’ find Zanka at his study spot, located in the library that Jabber has never step foot in.
Jabber stood back, just to make it look like he wasn’t following Zanka. He decided to take another route that was longer than the one Zanka took.
He started to grow butterflies in his stomach. What the fuck? Why was he so nervous like a middle school kid. Jabber himself knew this was out of character. All because he wanted to see Zanka?
Jabber’s cheeks grew red as he left the building, met with the cool spring wind, hit by the smell of flowers nearby. Ignoring the running thuds that grew louder, he thought about Zanka, wanting to see him already and explain what was happening, knowing he couldn’t tell Zanka about the operation since it revolved around him. Just then, he felt a tug at the back of his white tank top. He stopped to look back at the way shorter boy.
”Ja- Jabber!” Fu’s voice trembled. “Jabber stood quiet, allowing Fu to continue but Fu was waiting for Jabber’s confirmation to continue speaking, creating awkward silence and wasting Jabber’s time.
”Speak up, man!” He finally shouts, making Fu flinch. “Ah- Well we have to continue our creative writing essay! I was wondering if you could go to the library and pick up a few books for us to use?” Fu tells Jabber, earning a sigh.
”You’re lucky, man. I’m already on my way there,” He responds, walking off immediately to make up for lost time, leaving Fu.
Jabber hesitated by the front doors of the library for a few minutes. He was never one to overthink, just doing what he wanted and when he wanted. But this was for Zanka. It mattered how he presented now. His hand shakily grabbed the doorknob, opening the giant door before him. It creaked slightly, earning a few glances from some students inside. Jabber didn’t care though as his eyes wandered around for Zanka while walking in. Zanka was towards the back near the window, earbuds in place and stacks of books surrounding him and his computer as he wrote in his notebook. Jabber walked near Zanka, trying to act nonchalant, but unable to hide his blush and cheeky smile while also trying to find the books Fu had asked him to get. It was only a few minutes before Zanka looked back, seeing Jabber.
Zanka’s eyes sparkled a little. Of course, he wasn’t going to be the one to go up to him and show he was excited. So he looked back, hoping Jabber would be the one to go to him. But Jabber was too nervous. This wasn’t like him at all. He was the one to bother Zanka, get a reaction out of him just to get yelled at. But now, he was like a middle schooler with a middle school crush. He was fine not being in a relationship with Zanka just as long as he was near him. But now, he didn’t know how to act normal since Zanka seemed to be in a relationship with someone else.
Jabber ended up grabbing the books he knew Fu would need. He didn’t exchange a word with Zanka.
Zanka was waiting, hoping Jabber would come. But he didn’t.
As Jabber started to walk out the library, feeling defeated, Zanka was about to call out his name. Jabber was already checking out the books, too far to hear Zanka anyway. Zanka cursed to himself, looking back at his work, his head falling into his hands, stressed out. He knew something was wrong with Jabber. He never came to the library, but now that he did, he was close enough to see Zanka, but he didn’t do his usual annoying actions that would secretly fluster Zanka. Jabber just ignored him. He couldn’t watch as Jabber left the library.
”Are you fucking dumb?!” Rudo shouted, groaning. Jabber, Riyo, and Rudo had met where they agreed on earlier: the same spot in the quad.
”You finally were able to talk to Zanka! How’d you screw that up?!” Rudo asked, irritated. “You’re making this worse for yourself, Jabber. It’s so obvious something’s wrong,” Riyo added, sighing.
”I dunno, man! I just freaked. I saw him and like, I can’t be ruining his relationship! Even if he doesn’t seem happy,” Jabber mumbled that last part below his breath. He sat angrily on the grass, his legs crossed over each other. He let out a huff, laying his head back in exhaustion.
“Jabber what exactly did you hear when you ‘accidentally’ spied on him and Follo?” Riyo asked, placing a hand on her hip. “Follo asked him to be his valentine.”
”And?”
”That was it?” Jabber said, a little confused. Riyo groaned. “Then they’re not officially in a relationship! They’re just… doing couple-ly things!” Riyo lectured him.
“Meaning, you still have a chance,” Rudo said. Jabber looked up at the two. “Really?”
They both nodded.
”That means we need a new phase two,” Rudo sighed, scratching his head. “You have an essay right? Ask Zanka for help. He’d totally love it if you of all people came to him for help,” Riyo explained.
Jabber thought about it. “But I don’t need help?”
“Pretend,” Riyo demanded, glaring at Jabber.
By the end of the day, Jabber walked to Zanka’s dorm. He shared it with Rudo but he made sure to see another of their mutual friends, Amo, so Jabber and Zanka could have alone time.
Zanka was usually in his room by five in the afternoon on Wednesday’s. He didn’t have any more classes, just three for the day. Again, he would spend his time studying and doing his prolonged self care routine.
Jabber knocked at the door, too gentle for Zanka to expect that it was him. After a few seconds, the door slightly opened, Zanka’s eyes widening after seeing Jabber there. “What’re you doing here?” Zanka asked, opening the door fully now. He was in pajamas that Jabber kept staring at. It was simple, just a white t-shirt with black sport shorts. Usually, Zanka dressed modestly, never showing skin. It was only when he was in pajamas he would ignore that self-put rule. So this was the most skin Jabber’s actually ever seen, sending the blush through his nerves to his cheeks. And his nethers.
”Essay,” He stammered. Zanka tilited his head in confusion. “I need help. With my essay.”
”You need help with your essay?” Zanka asked, shocked. “So what if I do?” Jabber retorts, making his way inside the dorm. Zanka quickly tugged his top. “Shoes off, dumbass.”
Jabber rolled his eyes, taking his shoes off with either foot instead of doing it normally, then making his way further into the room. The dorm wasn’t decorated that much. Rudo and Zanka both had simple preferences, Zanka just having a little more neat tendencies than Rudo. Jabber sat on Zanka’s bed, pulling out his computer. “What class is it for?” “Creative Writing.”
Zanka’s heart stopped a little. It was an English class. Was Jabber fucking with him? He knew English wasn’t his first language. I mean yeah, Zanka could write essays for an English class, but he was the one who’d need help. He couldn’t be the one to help someone for this class. But he was right in front of Jabber, who, in his defense, seemed nervous.
”…Okay,” Zanka muttered. He sat beside Jabber who blushed more at Zanka being near him. Zanka would’ve also been freaking out internally but he was more focused on the essay.
Zanka tried his best to guide Jabber through his essay. Obviously, Jabber didn’t actually need any help. He was just doing this to be close with Zanka. But it was just a habit for him to correct Zanka in the mistakes he made trying to help him.
The first time Jabber corrected Zanka wasn’t a big deal to either of them. But it kept happening.
And it kept happening.
Zanka felt humiliated the more it happened. Every time, he felt like he was being compared to, that Jabber was just doing this to show off the fact that he was smarter. Zanka hated this feeling, especially it being caused by Jabber. Yeah, he and Jabber would get into many different debates and arguments but they were about small matters—dumb things that wouldn’t actually count on your intelligence but rather your opinions.
”Are you doing this on purpose?” Zanka asked, his voice low and angered.
“…Huh?”
”Don’t act fucking dumb. You know English isn’t my first language yet you come with your essay for my help. You never even ask for help. And now you keep correcting me when I make a mistake.”
Jabber froze, realizing Zanka had every right to think that. Jabber honestly forgot Zanka’s English wasn’t the best. He cursed at himself internally.
”Nah, man! You got it all wrong!” Jabber tried to resolve this issue. Zanka sighed, trying to calm himself down. “Ask someone else for help. I’m not the one to do this.”
Jabber gulped, packing his things, hesitantly walking towards the door. As he was about to leave the dorm, he glanced back at Zanka who sat at the edge of his own bed, his hands holding his head, his arms being supported by his knees. Jabber felt guilty for this interaction but knew to let Zanka have his own time to himself for now. He’d try again tomorrow.
It was the same problem for Jabber the next day. Riyo and Rudo tried their best to help Jabber and his feelings for Zanka, also using this operation. But for some reason, it kept going to shit.
On Thursday, Jabber and Zanka were paired for their history project, both sharing the same class on Thursdays at six in the afternoon. Zanka seemed to be back to normal, holding just a tiny grudge. But Jabber kept acting off. Why? Because it wasn’t just them. It was a three-man project. Follo was also there.
Zanka and Follo were talking about the basics of the project and where to start. Of course, Zanka wouldn’t just leave Jabber out, despite still holding that slight grudge.
“What do you think of what we jut said?” Zanka asked, turning his head from Follo to the other. Jabber thought about it. There were a few errors in what they had planned for this presentation. Jabber didn’t really care for any class. The only one you’d see Jabber actually working to his full potential, whether it’d be listening in class or actually studying was his major: Forensic Science.
But he remembered what Riyo said earlier when working with Zanka in projects: To take charge but not too much that it makes Zanka feel below him. Just enough to get him to talk more.
That backfired when he ended up scrapping Zanka and Follo’s whole idea and creating a better one. Follo didn’t mind but Zanka stood silent. It bothered him more because the same exact thing had happened the night prior.
”Whatever. We’ll do that then,” Zanka said, looking at his computer to avoid eye contact with Jabber.
”You good?” Jabber asked, wondering what he did now. “I’m fine.”
Follo blinked, the tension making it awkward. “I can feel the mood change, Zan-Zan.”
”Don’t fucking call me that. And I didn’t have a mood change.”
”You were fine just earlier?! What? Now that I come up with an idea better than yours, you get all sensitive?” Jabber retorted, his bottled up frustration coming out now. Zanka glared at him with wide and shocked eyes.
”Don’t talk outta your ass. That’s not what’s happening,” Zanka hissed, his eyebrows furrowing deeply.
”Am I? Same shit happened yesterday!” Jabber snarled.
”Guys-“
”You bastard! I knew that was on purpose!” Zanka shouted, cutting off Follo. Some eyes from other classmates shot to the three.
“I told you last night it wasn’t!”
”Then why’d you come to me of all people and then boast your English skills?!”
Jabber went to say something back but he didn’t have an answer. The only reason why was to get close to Zanka again. But he couldn’t say that. So he stood quiet.
Follo butted in. “Guys, let’s just calm down, okay?”
Jabber saw the way Follo placed a gentle hand on Zanka’s shoulder to ground him. With all the anger from that small motion, he got up angrily and walked out the class.
”Where the fuck are you going?” Zanka shouted, getting up. “Away from you!”
Zanka was taken aback. That had shut him up quickly. His eyes widened once again, his lips trembling a little. Did he go too far? Was he just being dramatic about this all. He had known Jabber was avoiding him. He knew Riyo and Rudo weren’t even speaking much with him anymore and spending their time with Jabber. Was Zanka the problem. All these thoughts filled his head, his hands trembling. All he could remember was his family shutting him out because somehow, he was always the root of the issue. He was always seen as the problem child. Instinctively, he ran out the room as well, minutes after Jabber had walked out. But when he looked around, he was no where to be seen.
Zanka thought Jabber now had abandoned him. The feeling of being a child abandoned by his parents, his brother, his sister, all came back. The feeling was slow but it creeped up on him, sending trembles down his arms, his breath shortening. His vision blurred. He couldn’t tell if it was the tears that was swelling up in his eyes.
Before he could fall to his knees after his legs were too weak to continue to hold his body weight, Follo grabbed Zanka’s shoulder, grounding him again. He noticed Zanka’s state, worry growing on his face.
”Hey, we can do this project later. Let’s just go to your room, okay?”
Zanka nodded, letting himself be brought to his dorm room.
Jabber banged on Noerde’s room door. He needed someone emotionally intelligent but also someone he deeply trusted. The door opened and Noerde was there, seeing Jabber’s tired face.
”You okay?” She asked, allowing Jabber to enter her room. He took his shoes off before making his way and sat on Noerde’s chair by her desk. “I messed up, man.”
Noerde sat in front of him on her bed. “Wanna talk about it?”
Jabber let out a sigh he didn’t know he was holding. “I think I hurt him. I was just trying to look cool and show him i was better than that bastard. But I think I just pushed him away instead.”
Noerde listened without a word until he was ready for her response.
”I think you had the right idea,” Noerde started, choosing her words carefully. “But the way you went about it, just anyone could take it the wrong way. I understand why it was hard for you to act normal. But maybe try being your usual self rather than someone you’re not.”
”But being me didn’t work. Now he’s off with some other guy. He asked him to be his valentine ‘nd all.”
”Just his valentine? Nothing more?”
Jabber shook his head.
”I doubt they’re together then.”
”My friend said the same thing. But even so, they’re going to a love festival together! And i’m too late and messed things up. They’re bound to get together.”
Jabber then got the top of his head bonked by Noerde. “Idiot. If you just come out now to this man, maybe you’ll have a chance to fix things.”
Jabber looked into Noerde’s eyes, searching for a sign of hesitance from her advice, but all he found was seriousness.
”Thank you…” He mumbled, looking away.
It was late already. It reached seven. Zanka was recovering from his almost-panic attack. Follo had gotten him out of it before it got too bad. Zanka was in his bed, holding a cup of green tea Follo secretly struggled to make for him.
”You feeling better now?” Follo asked, sitting at the far edge of the bed. Rud had yet to return, probably out with Amo and Riyo. “Yeah, i’m better now.”
”So what was that about?”
”What was what about?”
”You and Jabber. The argument.”
Zanka looked at Follo as he asked his questions.
”I don’t know what’s been happening but Jabber’s been acting weird with me. I have no idea what I could’ve done. My other friends haven’t been talking to me that much either these past few days.”
Follo started realizing things Zanka didn’t even realize himself.
”What do you feel when you’re around Jabber?” Follo asked, his heart clenching a little.
”What do you mean?”
”Like before your argument. Did you feel anything special with Jabber?”
Zanka thought about it. “Well I guess so.”
”What exactly do you feel?”
”When I first met him, I found him annoying and like a nuisance that just clung to me. But as time went by, I started growing attached, maybe? I dunno the correct wording,” Zanka pathetically chuckled. “But when I see him with someone else, I just panic. I worry that he’ll find someone better than me and ditch me. But I find it odd because we’re not together.”
Follo confirmed it. Zanka loved Jabber. Not him. His heart broke a little. He couldn’t blame Zanka. Follo didn’t straight up confess and he knew Zanka could be oblivious at times. But man, did it hurt.
“Do you… want to be in a relationship with Jabber?” He asked Zanka.
Zanka went wide eyed, looking up at Follo, thinking about it. The thought of holding hands with Jabber. Kissing him. Jabber making love to him. He genuinely craved it. He yearned for Jabber.
”I do.”
”Then I revoke my valentines proposal,” Follo said, softly chucking to mask his own hurt. Zanka was confused. “What?”
”Go to Jabber. Ask him to be your valentine. Shoot your shot. Get him back.”
”But you heard what he said earlier. He wants to get away from me. I had to have done something-“
”Talk to him. Don’t just let things go quiet without talking it out. Your relationship will strain.”
Zanka listened to Follo, lying back in his bed, sighing. “Thank you, Follo.”
”I’ll be heading out now,” He responded getting up and walking out of his dorm. After closing the door, he sighed, his eyes swelling with tears. But he wanted Zanka to be happy, despite the fact that he wouldn’t be happy with him. He walked off, his head held high, content with just being friends with Zanka.
Unfortunately, Zanka had felt ill in the morning. It wasn’t unusual for him around this time of spring due to the pollen affecting his allergies. Rudo woke up to see Zanka’s face flushed red and his nose running with a cough. Before leaving for his morning class, he placed a wet paper towel over his head as he slept uncomfortably.
While walking to his mechanical engineering class, Jabber walked up to him. “Hey, little man,” he said to Rudo. “I tried looking for Zan-Zan because he usually would’ve had one of his lectures already but I couldn’t find him.”
”Oh, yea, he’s like sick right now.”
”Is he okay?!” Jabber asked, worried.
”He’s asleep right now, but it’s his usual allergies. He always gets it bad though,” Rudo sighs. “How you holdin up though? Words been spreading that you and Zanka argued yesterday. I hadn’t gotten the chance to talk to him about it, though.”
”The plans kept goin’ to shit. I kept fucking up and Zan-Zan got fed up.”
Usally when Zanka shouted at Jabber, he would feel aroused and turned on. This time, he actually felt bad. It was a feeling he wasn’t used to.
”Just talk to him. After his allergies calm down. It shouldn’t take more than a day for him to get better,” Rudo said.
”See ya later,” He added, walking off. Jabber thought about Zanka, unwell and alone. He walked to the dorm quickly, his worry for Zanka fulling his adrenaline. Upon arriving, he noticed the door unlocked and slightly opened. That alone filled him with dread. He quickly opened the door to see Zanka on the floor. This wasn’t just seasonal allergies. Zanka was actually sick with something.
It seemed that he went to pick up an online food order, seeing soup, thankfully not spilled, in a container in the plastic bag beside his unconscious body. Jabber carried Zanka and placed him on his bed.
Zanka slightly woke up, his vision blurry.
”Hey, you good, man?” Jabber asked. Zanka couldn’t recognize Jabber yet since his eyes were still adjusting. “…Myeah…” He mumbled, his eyes slowly blinking, struggling to stay open.
”Just get some rest, okay, Zan-Zan?”
”Not yet… Have to ask him to be… valentines,” He said, delirious. Jabber blinked. “Don’t you already have a valentines?”
”He revoked it…”
Jabber’s heart lightened a bit. But he knew it wasn’t right to get information out of a vulnerable person. Instead, he searched the room for a thermometer, finding the type that you usually point towards your forehead. He pressed the button to take Zanka’s temperature. He had a fever. It was high too. 102°. It wasn’t dangerous but still concerning to Jabber at least. After pulling the blanket over Zanka, he neared his face, giving a soft and gentle kiss to his heated forehead.
”Get better, Zan-Zan.”
He woke up the next day at roughly twelve in the afternoon. Zanka felt a lot better now, sweating out his fever. He felt icky though, getting out of bed to shower. Rudo was already gone, attending one of his classes by now.
Zanka turned the shower on, making sure it was at the right temperature. Saturday was a day he had no classes so he didn’t have to worry about that. He entered the shower, the feeling of the warm water putting him at ease. He washed the grime off his body, his eyes avoiding the scars on his forearms.
The shower wasn’t too long. About twenty minutes. He got out and put on some nice clothes for the day. It was a white turtle neck with a navy blue cardigan and white buttons. His jeans weren’t too baggy but not skinny. It was in the middle. He placed his tassel earrings on carefully before brushing his teeth and washing his face, fixing and styling his hair right after.
He had planned on finding Jabber later to ask him to be his valentine. It as very late. Valentine’s day was literally today. But it was better late than never.
He left the bathroom and walked out the residence hall. Zanka breathed in the warm air before being greeted by Riyo.
”Zanka! How’re you holdin’ up?” She asked, walking closer. Zanka felt slightly awkward but didn’t want any bad tension between them. “I’m better now. Just a quick fever.”
”Ay! I’m glad to see your immune system fought back!” She chuckled, patting his shoulder. “Are you going to the festival later?”
”Oh, yeah. I’m gonna ask Jabber if he wants to go with me.”
Riyo looked confused.
”Hah?”
”What?”
”What do you mean?! I thought you were going with Foll-“ Riyo immediately cut herself off, knowing Zanka never actually told her and she knew because it was because Jabber who (totally didn’t) spied.
”How do you know that, Riyo?”
Riyo gulped loudly, staying quiet as she tried thinking of an excuse. Zanka didn’t actually seem upset, just sketchy.
”Riyo.”
”Don’t get angry, especially now that you’re gonna ask him out. But, Jabber had so happened to hear Follo asking you to be his valentine.”
Zanka was confused. “What does that have to do with anything?”
”Well, we all thought you liked Follo. Jabber was really hurt-“ Riyo cursed at herself. She keeps throwing Jabber under the bus.
”Why was Jabber hurt?” Zanka was really lost right now.
”I can’t tell you, Zanka. You have to figure it out yourself,” Riyo sadly tells him.
”What the fuck?” He whispered under his breath. Now a whole new issue came up with Jabber. One that Riyo won’t even talk about.
”Alright, Riyo,” He sighs. He walks off, Riyo watching him leave with defeat. She really hopes the two get through this together.
Zanka goes to find Jabber, needing answers before anything.
But to no avail, Jabber is no where to be seen. It doesn’t help Zanka either that he doesn’t know Jabber’s dorm number because he’s never actually been to his dorm. It’s only been Jabber going to Zanka’s room because he liked to annoy him.
The festival was starting later that evening at six. It was now pushing three. Zanka’s stomach growled when he realized he hadn’t eaten anything for the past day. He needed to clear his head and decided to leave the campus to go to a ramen restaurant he liked.
”Zanka!” Someone shouted before Zanka left the premises. It was Rudo. “Where ya headed?” He asked, panting as he jogged over.
“I’m just gonna eat out. Kinda hungry,” Zanka responded, some of his tension loosening at the sight of one of his friends. “Can I join?! I’m hungry, too!”
”C’mon then.”
The two walked in silence towards the ramen shop. It wasn’t too far away. That’s why it was popular with the students from the college. It was walking distance, about a ten minute walk. Zanka and Rudo arrived, grabbing a table and ordered their bowls of ramen. While waiting, Zanka broke the silence. “Did you too think I liked Follo?”
”Uh- Yeah…” Rudo honestly answered. Zanka sighed, starting to understand things now—the miscommunication. But he didn’t understand why Jabber was so hurt.
”Are you able to tell me why Jabber started avoiding me after finding out? Or ya gonna keep your mouth shut too?” Zanka asked, not expecting an answer.
”Sorry, Riyo would kill me. She says you two need to grow up and work things out.”
Zanka snickered. It sounded like Riyo.
”Are you two upset with me?”
”What?! Of course not!” Rudo quickly answered, confused by the question. “Why do you ask?”
”Nothing, I must’ve been overthinking it. I just saw you two slowly stop talkin’ to me so I guess my mind wandered.”
”No! You’ve got it wrong! We were just-“ Rudo didn’t know how to continue his sentence. “Working on a project.”
Zanka didn’t fully believe it but he didn’t push as their food had been served by the waitress.
Later that day, Zanka was just strolling around campus now, alone, waiting to hopefully see Jabber show up to the festival. Rudo had already left to see Amo. They were going to the festival together since they were each other’s valentines this year. Riyo was even going with Eisha. It was just Zanka who had no set valentine now.
The sun started going down, the sunset mixing with the red and pink decorations around school, specifically the quad where the festival took place at. It was ten minutes to six, people starting to come in. Zanka waited at a nearby bench by the entrance of the quad, searching for Jabber by eye. People poured in. Couples and single people.
The time passed quickly now. His clock read six fifteen. Then he saw Jabber. He got up quickly, ready to talk to him. But he greeted a woman. She was slightly shorter than him, blond hair and tons of hair clips.
They seemed close. Too close for Zanka’s comfort. Jabber gave a gentle side hug to her as she welcomed it. They were talking about something, standing right by the entrance. Jabber seemed to be his usual self again, spouting jokes to the woman who gave him a few hits on the head like she was scolding him, earning laughs from Jabber.
”Ah,” He said to himself. “Of course—He’s straight.”
Earlier that day, Jabber had assumed Zanka wasn’t going to the festival. He thought he was still sick so he spent the day at the grocery store, trying to find medicines for fever. He just so happened to go to Zanka’s dorm right after Zanka had left.
He knocked, not earning an answer, placing the bag on the doorknob before leaving. He went to Noerde’s room, just to bother her on this lazy Saturday afternoon.
”Noerde!” He shouts, banging on the door. She opens it. “What, Jabber.”
”Go to the festival with me. I don’t feel like attending alone.”
Noerde looked at Jabber. “Aren’t ya worried people would get the wrong idea of us?”
”Nah! You’re like a sister from another mister!”
Noerde snickered. “All right, fine.”
Turns out, someone did get the wrong idea.
As Jabber joked with Noerde, he made eye contact with Zanka who was just a few feet away, standing awkwardly in front of the bench. He looked heartbroken. Jabber immediately realized that how he and Noerde looked was actually really easy to misunderstand. Noerde realized as well.
Zanka had quickly walked off, his steps soon turning to running as he got farther away.
”Go, Jabber. I’ll be here enjoying the chocolates anyways. You need to fix your love life.”
Jabber nodded and quickly ran after Zanka. He was a little more athletic since he sometimes played random sports with his friends, whether it’d be volleyball or even badminton. Zanka was athletic as well but spend most his time studying. Jabber was bound to catch up to Zanka.
Right behind him, Jabber pulled Zanka’s arm back. “Zanka, you’ve misunderstood!” He shouted, calling Zanka by his actual name. This definitely was serious.
”What could I have misunderstood, Jabber. Let me go.”
“No! I’m not playin’ this cat and mouse game anymore!”
”Let me go Jabber!” Zanka shouted angrily again. “You can’t just leave your date!”
”Oh yeah, and what about yours?!” Jabber retorted, forgetting what Zanka said last night.
”We aren’t going together anymore because I love you!” Zanka screamed, his voice scaring off the birds from the nearby trees.
The silence hung in the air. “Now please. Let me go! That was humiliating enough. I don’t want to see your reaction-“
Jabber shut Zanka up, using his lips. He bent slightly over, grabbing Zanka’s face, kissing him. Zanka was quick to melt in, his hand falling onto Jabber’s waist. Their kiss was short but intimate, Jabber pulling away a few seconds after.
”Zan-Zan. You worry too damn much.”
Zanka realized what just happened, his face flushing red. “Wh-what?!”
”Why would you- What just- Did you just kiss me?!” Zanka’s mind was short circuiting, his eyes forming small spirals in the pupils.
”You’re very dumb sometimes, my guy,” Jabber says, still holding Zanka’s face in his hands. Zanka growled softly, punching Jabber’s side.
”Hey, don’t turn me on now,” Jabber winked, his hands letting go of Zanka’s face and holding his gut, coughing a little.
”Don’t kiss me then insult me, asshole.”
”Still rough like always. What a gentlemen.”
”Stupid bastard.”
Jabber stands straight up again, walking back to Zanka, a cheeky smirk. “So does this mean…?”
”You’re dating me now,” Zanka demands.
”Ooh, dominant,” Jabber winked.
”Shut up, pervert.”
”You really love callin’ me names, huh?”
Jabber leans in for another kiss, Zanka pulling his head closer, wasting no time. They kissed more intimately this time. Jabber’s hands wrapped around Zanka’s waist, slowly creeping down below.
Zanka quickly grabbed Jabber’s hands. “You’re pushing,” Zanka said, smirking as well as he looked at Jabber. “Is it so wrong to wanna feeel you?”
Zanka rolled his eyes. “At least take me to your dorm.”
They wasted no time. After closing the door to Jabber’s dorm, they made out right then and there, Zanka not paying attention to seeing Jabber’s room for the first time. Zanka had pinned Jabber to the wall, Jabber bending still to kiss him.
Zanka fumbled with Jabber’s studded belt, the rhinestones throwing him off.
”Take your time,” Jabber said, teasing Zanka after breaking from the kiss.
Jabber brought Zanka to the bed, basically throwing him on the fluffy mattress, getting on top of him, kissing him again as they both got undressed. Zanka flipped over, getting on top of Jabber, his legs straddling over the other.
”I’m guessin’ you’ve heard of cowgirl,” Jabber said.
The sunlight spilled through the window, the sundays hitting Zanka’s face, waking him up. His back was killing him. His ass too.
Jabber woke up a few seconds later. “Morning, Zan-Zan. How’d ya sleep?”
”I barely slept. Do you not remember? You went to town on me all night,” Zanka growled, struggling to sit up. Jabber admired the marks he placed on Zanka’s neck, seeing more between his legs as Zanka threw the blanket off. Zanka looked back with a blush, also looking at the bite marks on Jabber and the scratch marks on his back.
”Crazy, bastard,” Zanka muttered. “My asshole fucking hurts.”
”Love you too, babyyy!” Jabber annoyingly said, making Zanka cringe.
But now, the two were finally happy. No miscommunication. No more operation (That Zanka was to never learn about). Just them. Together. Finally accepting each other’s feelings as they shared a gentle kiss.
”Thank you for letting me sleep the night,” Fu told Rudo, staying in his dorm.
”What exactly happened?” Riyo asked. She was already in the dorm when Fu hesitantly knocked last night, asking to spend the night.
”Just… things…” Fu answered, avoiding eye contact, earning suspicion from the other two.
He wasn’t going to tell them he almost walked into Jabber and Zanka having sex, the sounds of moans stopping him.